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In this archival episode, Jeff re-presents his first lame attempt at spinning humorous stories of some of his martial encounters.
Tag: martial arts
164 Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock
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This is an archival reissue of The Martial Brain #23. In it Jeff draws parallels between the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors” and various aspects of the Martial Arts.
152 Turns Out My Sensei DOESN’T Know Everything!
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Jeff discusses the scientific method vs. “ancient wisdom,” and the importance for martial arts instructors of regularly updating their curricula.
128 The Art of Not Getting Hit Part 1
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Jeff describes a way to begin building your defensive skills vs. empty hand striking.
127 Techno-phobia and the Martial Arts
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Jeff discusses the quirky relationship between humans and their technology.
124 Believing is Seeing Part 3
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Jeff discusses the ways that your brain compensates for the time lag created when it must process visual information before presenting it to you.
120 First Allegiance
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Jeff discusses the dangers of tribalism in martial arts academies.
118 Looking for Sensei Right
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Jeff discusses the pitfalls of dating at the martial arts academy.
114 Nerd Up!
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Jeff discusses the dangers of the recurring logical fallacy of anti-intellectualism.
112 Oh, How We Danced
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Jeff discusses the various uses of footwork in the martial arts, and why you need to learn them.
110 You Are Not the Punisher
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Jeff discusses the ethical and legal dangers of following sport martial arts protocols in self defense.
99 Dueling Concepts
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Jeff discusses what happens when the right way to practice one martial art collides with the right way to practice a different martial art.
98 Lesson Planning and Helmuth Von Moltke
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Jeff discusses the importance of developing the capacity for careful planning combined with skill at improvisation; both in the martial arts and in life.
93 Age is Relative, and Boy do I Have Some Old Relatives!
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Jeff discusses the human propensity for thinking in absolute rather than relative terms.
91 Made Ya Look!
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Jeff discusses the training in and use of deception and faking in the martial arts.
90 What is the Secret to Good Comedy?
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Jeff discusses the importance of the attribute of timing in the martial arts, comedy, and in history.
88 Courage is Easy, Discipline is Hard
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Jeff draws a comparison between two attributes often associated with the martial arts.
87 The Power of Doubt Part 3
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Jeff concludes his three-part discussion of skepticism as it applies both to the martial arts and to life.
86 The Power of Doubt Part 2
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Jeff continues his three part treatment of skepticism, both in the martial arts and in the rest of life. In this episode he discusses how we know what we know.
82 Child’s Play
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Jeff discusses the pitfalls of seeking martial arts instruction for very young children.
77 My Sensei is Better Than Your Sensei!
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Jeff discusses the ubiquitous phenomenon of martial arts politics.
75 There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Sample
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Jeff discusses the pros and cons of martial arts sports competition, and the importance of understanding sample size when analyzing and interpreting data.
73 Oh No! Not the Cruel Sensei!
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Jeff discusses the variety of personalities and teaching styles among martial arts instructors.
72 Taking a Stance on Martial Arts Stances
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Jeff discusses the role of stances in the martial arts.
66 For Worse or Better
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Jeff discusses the problems of using your own brain to assess your progress as a martial artist.
65 Respect My Authority!
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Jeff discusses the importance of discipline and respect in the martial arts, AND the importance of being able to perceive the difference between form and substance of discipline and respect.
59 The Misanthropic Principle
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Jeff takes a new slant on the ridiculousness of racism, sexism, and homophobia.
50 Weird Tales of the Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy Part 2
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This is the second episode in a series of stories of Jeff’s encounters with weird and eccentric characters during his martial arts career.
45 Weird Tales of the Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy
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Jeff shares stories of strange and bizarre encounters from his decades of history of dealing with people interested in the martial arts.
31 Zen and the Art of Revisionist History
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Jeff discusses misconceptions regarding the connection between Zen Buddhism and the Japanese martial arts.
30 How DARE You Question My Omniscience!
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Jeff discusses the culture of many martial arts traditions, in which asking questions is discouraged, and why he disagrees with it.
28 Logic is Like a Sword
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Jeff discusses the value and practicality of the apparently anachronistic practice of training with non-firearm weapons.
26 The Student Shall Be the Teacher!
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Jeff warns of the dangers of arrogance in a martial arts instructor, and describes the amazing power of the human mind to learn, even despite bad teachers.
25 Nobody’s Perfect, and That’s Unforgivable!
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Jeff discusses the dangers of making the perfect the enemy of the good; in life and in the martial arts.
23 Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock
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Jeff draws parallels between the game “Rock, Paper, Scissors” and various aspects of the Martial Arts.
20 Dude! That is Sick!
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Jeff discusses the fascination many young martial artists have with “advanced” techniques, and proposes an alternative word to describe them.
19 Realism in Sparring and the Scientific Method
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Jeff discusses a scientific approach to improving your fighting skills.
18 What Belt are You?
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Jeff discusses the pros and cons of using belts to signify rank in the martial arts.
17 What if Tokyo Never Rose?
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Jeff proposes a counter-factual: What would the modern American martial arts scene look like if the Pacific theater of World War 2 had never taken place?
16 The Elephant in the Room
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After 15 previous podcasts, Jeff finally addresses the elephant in the room when it comes to martial skepticism……Chi Power!
14 The Myth of the Power of the Mind
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Jeff discusses the importance of determination, and not confusing it with magic.
13 The Monkey Brain
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Jeff discusses the dangers of losing focus when acting as a partner in a martial arts drill, and the furtive, malevolent animal that lurks in our brain, waiting to get out.
11 Technique Vs. Principle
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Jeff discusses the importance of stressing the understanding of principles over the accumulation of techniques.
10 What is a Martial Arts Style?
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The martial arts world has for centuries focused much of its attention on the value and quality of the many different “styles”. Jeff wades into the subject and offers his own two cents, drawing a parallel to the outmoded concept of ‘race’ in biology.
9 Is Grappling Training Necessary?
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Jeff discusses the importance of being able to competently defend yourself when you find that the fight has gone to the ground.
In the process he discusses the problem of ‘tribalism’ in the martial arts.
8 How Do You Know?
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Jeff discusses the development of critical thinking skills to protect yourself from the negative effects of fraudulent claims in the martial arts and in life.
7 What is a Master?
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Jeff discusses the use and misuse of the title “Master” in the context of the Martial Arts.
6 Does Practice Make Perfect?
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Jeff discusses how to enhance your gains from training, including the importance of mindfulness in practice,
4 Are Martial Arts Seminars Worthwhile?
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Jeff delves into the pros and cons of martial arts seminars, and how to get the most out of your seminar experience.